The entire operation of Woodland Airpark has been grounded following the crash of an ultralight aircraft in Barangay Panalicsican, Concepcion, Tarlac, on 18 October 2025, which resulted in the deaths of two teenagers.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to ground Woodland Airpark.
According to CAAP Director General Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario (Ret.), Secretary Lopez ordered the immediate conduct of a safety and operations audit to assess the airworthiness of the aircraft and the operator’s compliance with aviation safety standards, according to a news release.
Initial reports stated that two teenagers perished when their ultralight aircraft crashed into a rice field in Barangay Panalicsican.
Authorities identified the fatalities as 19-year-old pilot John Paul Boiles y Castillo, a resident of Barangay Duquit, Mabalacat City, and 18-year-old passenger Jhoana Benoza y Tegelan, a resident of Barangay Sto. Rosario, Macabebe, Pampanga.
Witnesses stated that the aircraft was erratically circling the area moments before it suddenly crashed.
Rescue personnel from the Concepcion Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) immediately rushed to the scene and brought the victims to Concepcion District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.